This last weekend, Florida Georgia Line performed at the Country Thunder music festival in Wisconsin on Friday (7-22), and the Great Jones Country Fair in Monticello, Iowa on Saturday (7-23). During both events, Florida Georgia Line reportedly refused to allow uniformed police officers backstage, including at one point threatening to cancel their performance if their demands were not met.

This sparked an outcry from both law enforcement professionals and other individuals working the events, and eventually led to a public outcry against the band from fans who felt the duo was disrespecting the police at a time when high profile police shootings are in the headlines.

Multiple media outlets have reported on the weekend’s incidences, though most of them have only reported on either one incident, or have confused the details of Friday night’s incident with Saturday’s, or vice versa.

Here is the full story:

On Friday (7-22), news began to spread online that Florida Georgia Line had refused all police presence at the Country Thunder Festival in Wisconsin. The primary impetus for the news was a Facebook post by an individual named Kenneth Lee, who claims he was working the festival.

“Feeling very disappointed,” Kenneth Lee posted. “I’m working at country thunder and one of the bands that I enjoy listening to, Florida Georgia Line, has requested zero police presence during their concert tonight. Apparently, they don’t trust the police and have taken the anti-police stance in line with the scum that has been killing police officers all over the country. Well, they can all rot in hell as far as I’m concerned. I hope a bunch of unruly drunken idiots rush the stage, because the boys that would have protected them won’t be there.”

However, Kenneth Lee’s characterization of the situation was not entirely true. Florida Georgia Line had not refused all police presence at the festival, only demanded that uniformed officers not be allowed backstage.

“We were on the grounds the entire event covering the camp sites, festival grounds and also [backstage],” Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth confirmed to FOX411.

However Sheriff David Beth also did confirm that Florida Georgia Line had requested that no police presence be allowed backstage and that he “was a little taken back by the request.”

Country Thunder organizers also released a statement, saying, “The organizers of Country Thunder have been made aware of recent comments on social media regarding FGL at the festival. We have seen the original post, and none of it was true.”

But that is not entirely true either. Florida Georgia Line did request that no police be allowed backstage. We know this both from Sheriff David Beth’s statement, and from the fact that the very next night, despite the drama the request caused at Country Thunder, the same request for no police presence backstage was made at the Great Jones Country Fair in Iowa.

According to TMZ, Jones County Sheriff Greg Graver was personally turned away when he tried to go backstage to discuss security protocol for the evening after being told no uniformed officers were allowed. TMZ’s report states that the band even threatened to refuse to perform if they saw any cops. Unlike at the Country Thunder fest the previous night, police did not eventually make their way backstage, yet Florida Georgia Line’s management, about halfway through their set, requested a police escort out of town after the show. According to TMZ, after feeling like they had been disrespected, the Jones County Sheriff’s Department refused the escort, as did other local law enforcement agencies after hearing about the incident.

All of this has led to outrage on social media, with many fans angry at the duo for taking a disrespectful attitude towards law enforcement. Monday afternoon, Florida Georgia Line released a statement, saying,

Hey guys, we’ve just been made aware something happened at a show this weekend involving a police officer. We want you to know we have nothing but love and respect for the police. We are bummed anyone ever got a different impression.

However just like the multiple reports on the incident, even Florida Georgia Line’s apology glosses over the fact that it was multiple incidents taking place at two separate events and involving multiple officers. It wasn’t just involving “a show” and “a police officer.” The public outcry began even before the more high-profile incident in Iowa reported by TMZ.

However, the idea that Florida Georgia Line is taking an anti-police stance on political grounds, or is somehow trying to show solidarity with Black Lives Matters or the murderers of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, is ludicrous. Florida Georgia Line has not stated why they did not want a police presence backstage. Seeing police backstage is very common during major concerts for security purposes. But the decision could have to do with not feeling like the presence was needed, or Florida Georgia Line not wanting to disrupt their party atmosphere. There is an unspoken creed between many backstage police officers and music performers to look the other way when it comes to marijuana use and other things that commonly accompany major music concerts.

Late Monday afternoon, Saving Country Music spoke to Jones County Sheriff Greg Graver from Iowa who cleared up some misnomers from TMZ’s report from Iowa.

“I don’t want this to be anti Florida Georgia Line,” Sheriff Graver said. “It might have been inflamed by what happened in other places. What I normally do is I approach the tour manager for these groups usually sometime late afternoon, and I basically ask them what they want from us. Normally it would be several uniformed officers for the meet and greet for security, but then when they go on stage, they may say they need no presence backstage, or they may say they want to keep a couple of officers back there. It’s fairly unusual that you would have a group say that they don’t want law enforcement backstage at all.”

“When I went backstage to meet with one of their representatives, somebody from our fair security basically said that Florida Georgia Line had requested no uniformed personnel backstage before, during, or after the show. So that’s what we did. To me, it didn’t matter why. I was not aware of what had happened in Wisconsin at the time.”

As for refusing the police escort out of town, “That was refused by me,” says Sheriff Graver. “And then they contacted the Monticello, Iowa police chief who also refused them, and then they contacted me back, and I made the decision to refuse that request again.”

Ultimately, the issue has more to do with how it was reported than what happened. Though Florida Georgia Line’s request for no police backstage was unusual, the demeanor of their management may have been a little gruff with some law enforcement, and their explanation/apology was half-baked and flippant, there is no indication that Florida Georgia Line hates police officers specifically, and is trying to somehow purposely disrespect them.

How many times have you read stories about rock stars getting busted for drug possession backstage? Not to brag, but I’ve been backstage many times at big concerts, and never not seen a uniform police officer for security. They’re not there to hassle the performers. They’re there to protect them. Especially after recent incidents, uniformed officers backstage are probably needed now more than ever.

Yeah, but this is Florida Georgia Line we’re talking about. I highly doubt that either of them has the intellect required to realize that backstage at a concert isn’t the best place to play with three 16-year-old girls and a garbage bag of controlled substances.

FGL isn’t even worth the time it took to reply to this, but if they are refusing police, then let police not help them when they’re needed. Same with anyone else that doesn’t like police. Why should they bother with these ingrates?

The fact they refused backstage security is beyond belief just because of the society today and of course they have a BS written statement by some highly paid clown to make them “less guilty” and it’s rightly sad…for them because I do not care for their “music” and for the fact of how word will spread not to mention a refusal for police escort…Word Will Spread

Nobody in this story comes off good. For FGL, this makes them look really weird. As Trigger said, the cops were never going to arrest them or charge them if they were seen doing something illicit. Instead they just come off looking rather odd and arrogant in how this has all been handled.

Also, current events notwithstanding, some of the cops also come off terribly. Especially bad is the sheriffs office that decided that because they felt “disrespected”, they would not give FGL an escort out of the area. Call me crazy, but it sure feels like selective policing in this instance, which isn’t really cool either. Police officers should be held to a higher standard in their actions and words and in this case, it sure seems because they didn’t feel “respected” they decided they just weren’t interested in doing their jobs. This is a slippery slope, I mean what would have happened had the FGL tour bus been attacked or robbed or whatever? We can all say “good” because no doubt the FGL boys are d-bags, but what if it was your or I? What if the sheriff found out you or I were supporting the guy gunning for his job in the next election and just decided to not send somebody out on a B&E?

I understand that the policeman involved may have felt disrespected or “hurt” by FGL’s actions, but that doesn’t excuse the sheriffs actions as it relates to the escort out of town. He and his office just come off as a bit vindictive and that sort of attitude is not healthy in the people you or I entrust to help keep us safe and society in some sort of orderly state. Selective policing for lack of a better term is a damn slippery slope and more should be expected of the local authorities in this story.

If FGL had serious security concerns and requested a police escort, the police should have provided it. If FGL just wanted to get out of rural Iowa or Wisconsin quicker, then it’s not a big deal. That little detail is important because that makes the image of the police in this situation change completely.

Still, nobody comes off good in this story. The police involved come off as whiny, especially the officer who claims to be a fan and thinks being a police officer means he is deserving of special treatment or something and FGL just looks more tone-deaf than usual.

I haven’t seen any quotes from any police spokesman that suggests the escort was refused out of spite. Chances are, law enforcement just didn’t see any need for it and therefore couldn’t justify pulling officers off of other assignments or paying off-duty officers overtime to accommodate requests.. And it’s just as likely that FGL didn’t feel any real need for it either, more likely they just wanted to stage a dramatic exit from this town of 3800 people.

I agree that this story has been blown out of proportion, but even when pared back to the verifiable facts FGL’s douchiness manages to shine through.

Couldn’t disagree more, Mike, regarding the police. “We don’t need ya, but help us get out of here, would ya?” Uh, yeah, no. Guessing the locals had better things to do, like crowd control, directing fairgoers in and out of the fairgrounds. Can’t say I blame the chief. Just my opinion, YMMV.

In the event something really bad happened, what would the cops’ve done anyway? Establish a barrier and wait for backup? I don’t like cops around me when I’m checking out at the store with a gallon of milk, I sure as fuck wouldn’t want them around me backstage.

It sickens my soul to say this, but I finally kinda-enjoyed something FGL’s done. Except for the requesting an escort thing, that’s mind-boggling.

Well, male entertainers are constantly portraying the “blue lights” in a negative light in countless mainstream country/”country” songs within the past six-seven years or so.

Ultimately, what goes around comes around. It’s certainly unfortunate this happened, but I’m not the least surprised considering the relative antipathy towards police officers and/or romanticizing running from the cops in a fair share of bro-country songs.

How many performers are typically afforded this “blue carpet” treatment, and/or do they pay for it like businesses do for a traffic cop at rush hour?

Did FGL handlers offer to pay, or were they just expecting it gratis?

Were these agencies maxed out on crowd and traffic control and not able to spare the manpower? (I mean, there’s more to the fair than just concert stage after all, and no disrespect to Jones County, but how big are the respective departments?)

I think this story is being blown way out of proportion; not here but in other media circles. The truth of the matter is that FGL’s backstage area is more strict than any other country music acts that I’ve come across. There is no one back there without a proper credential; it’s not the backstage party that the world thinks it is. I’m guessing they probably indicated that they simply indicated they really didn’t need the uniformed police officers back there because there really isn’t anyone back there. There is about a 99.9% chance they never indicated they would not go on if a police officer showed up.

This is why I read you. Even though they are a crappy group and it would be easy to trash on over this. You explained the situation that I never would have gotten anywhere else. And it isn’t trashing FGL. Much respect.

No uniformed officer has ever busted a music star for smoking pot backstage ever, and as both sheriff’s in both cases attested, there are always uniformed officers backstage. They’re not there to enforce drug laws, they are there to make sure the stars don’t get murdered. See Christina Grimmie, Dimebag Darrell, the attack in Paris aimed at The Eagles of Death Metal, etc. etc. If they don’t want the security, that’s their call. But if it’s because they’re worried about getting busted, that’s dumb.

Since you mentioned Dime, I’d like to point out it was an off duty deputy headed home from another security job who happened to hear the shots, came in the back door and killed the shooter before he could take any more lives. I saw the band about 2 shows before the shooting, and will probably always remember hearing about that.

I’m Old School. Your management represents YOU. It’s as if YOU are talking, taking actions etc. If your management fucks the pudding up and YOU do nothing about it, well, need I say more? Whether they suck or not is beside the point.

I know this is horrible to say, but I am glad this was blown out of proportion. These nimwits are a disgrace to any genre of music. Sadly I attended a show of theirs (for a friends bday, not my choice) and they were spitting on fans and while I know other ‘rock stars’ have done that back in the day, they’re not ‘rock stars’. I hope their career tanks and people refer to them as the Dixie Chicks Part 2. Mean to say? Perhaps. But damn I want these tools to disappear.

I have no use for FGL and I get where Sheriff Garver is coming from in denying FGL get-out-of-town security twice. FGL’s management/staff (whoever) tells the Sheriff we don’t need you at any time tonight. Perhaps if said management/staff (whoever) initially communicated this more professionally, FGL’s get-out-of-town escort requests would have been honored. Still reflects poorly on FGL. However, the fish rots from the head, unless these 2 guys are powerless to control it.

Can’t see a reason to refuse extra security things are crazy. Very disappointed in FGL. And the ask for escort oh…. Heck no. Their security group mist likely have no jurisdiction there
I sure like when I know there is extra security wherever I am. With this being said the only difference is they are wealthy and I am a person that works for hourly wage ,that is only difference between us. I no longer listen to the and complained on The Highway XM Siruis raido

Ok, I’ve been in the music business for about 15 years. This is not as uncommon as you would think. When we have played with, opened up for, or direct supported a major touring act there has never been uniformed officers in the backstage area other than when meet & greets were taking place. Typically the venue will provide armed security guards for the backstage area while the shows are being preformed. The reason for not having police officers back stage is simple. No matter how much they are told to look the other way when it comes to illegal drugs. They are still police officers who are respectfully trained to rid out any illegal drugs or activity. Security guards are simply hired to do 1 job….provide professional security and safety to all artist, crews, and their families while backstage. They have 0 authority to do anything else except what they are hired to do. It’s not a disrespectful thing to ask that police not be back stage. It’s honestly more of a respectable thing to ask them not to be back stage, and put them in an awkward situation to where they feel they might not be upholding their sworn duty as police officers by turning their cheek to illegal activity. Take it however you choose, but I’m telling you from experience. This is not an uncommon practice. They just happened to be the ones that got called out on it.

As a retired Law Enforcement commander when my Officers did Security at a event like this. Their were NO off limits for the Officers. Their job is Security and that means keep everybody safe. All officers could go anywhere inside the Event area period. But Officers are usually signed to certain areas inside the Event area by their Supervisor. If they didn’t want Police Officers then they needed to hire private security.

Boycott these Americsn born traitors!! Country band want to bees!! Punks Hillary & Obama supporters& I can only imagine how they feel about our men & women in the military. They screwd up now disrespect the men in blue and would cancel the concert if they went back stage. This is what American parents have raised American traitors! What next will they threatened to burn the American flag next time. Police men it women show up at their concert these punks & other celebrities punks like them are getting rich off if these men & women and staying safe because of them and they going to run their mouths?? Really, they need to start the draft back so punks like these two will know what it’s like to dodge bullets.

I LOVE Florida Georgia Line’s music- but I will boycott them because of this terrible stand they are taking against our police officers that put their own lives on the line to make sure that the band and the fans are kept safe!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!! I have my own feelings about young black men that are falsely accused of breaking the law and I do believe that they are profiled. My heart breaks for them and their families. However, to take sides against all police officers like this is not the right thing to do. And for them to use their fame to divide the country like this- well, it’s VERY disappointing!!! If this is your stand, then I have to also take a stand and that will be not to spend my money on their band. Too bad!

Simply put you play in their jurisdiction they can go wherever they want some security guard or piss poor manager doesn’t have the right to refuse, I’m not saying the police shouldn’t honor a request if it is handled professionally. Would have been completely averted had they said hey guys we don’t need ya backstage at the show but we may need an escort out. And FGL had no idea anything was even going on according to comments so they weren’t in any danger leaving or they would have known. Sit in the traffic your shitty concert caused.